The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has extended the ban on sand mining in Bihar beyond October 1, 2023, due to changing monsoon trends. Sand mining will now resume on October 15, 2023.
The NGT had previously banned sand mining in Bihar from July 1 to September 30, 2023, during the monsoon season. However, due to moderate to heavy monsoon rains expected in early October, the NGT has extended the ban by two weeks.
Sand mining ban in Bihar
This year, the average witnessed a rainfall deficit of 26 percent less than Bihar. June and July witnessed a poor monsoon with a 48 percent deficit in rains, followed by normal rains in August. The monsoon activity then weakened again in September.
The Bihar Mines and Geology Department is taking steps to implement the NGT’s order and to crack down on illegal sand mining. The department is setting up new checkposts and outposts in Arwal, Patna, Aurangabad, Saran, Siwan, Bhojpur, Sheohar, and Katihar.
The department states that there is sufficient stock of sand in the state. There will not be any problem with sand. The department has settled 268 out of the 523 ghats in the state.
The process is ongoing for the remaining ghats. The department has received information that before mining from the rivers starts again, it is instructing all the settlers to follow all the pre-determined criteria for sand mining.
The departmental portal includes tasks such as registering vehicles, installing CCTV cameras on weighbridges and sand ghats to weigh sand-laden vehicles, and registering vehicles on the departmental portal.
The department is also taking steps to increase the revenue of the state and to provide sand at the right price to people.
Despite the government’s efforts, illegal sand mining is still a major problem in Bihar. The sand mafia is very well-armed and often outnumber the police teams, leading to inaction.
The government needs to take more stringent measures to crack down on illegal sand mining and to protect the environment.
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